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Pentec Health, Inc., under the direction of president and chief executive officer Joe Cosgrove, specializes in infusion services for patients who need to be treated at home. Joe Cosgrove has taken Pentec Health’s staff from 32 full-time equivalents to some 250, in an effort to increase the quality of patient care.

An ANCC official praised Pentec Health for its willingness to submit to a comprehensive examination of the course’s methods. The ANCC singled out the company for its commitment to maintaining high standards of nursing education. Pentec Health is the first American company to receive this recognition.

In business for 30 years, Pentec Health has built its reputation on providing effective treatments for chronic kidney disease. Its nurses are skilled in using technology such as implanted pumps to relieve spasticity and pain.

Joe Cosgrove serves as president, chairman, and CEO of Pentec Health, Inc., providers of the PROPLETE nutritional solution. Under Joe Cosgrove’s leadership, the launch of PROPLETE has been a significant factor in Pentec Health’s success.

An intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) solution, Pentec Health‘s PROPLETE addresses the particular nutritional needs of patients undergoing hemodialysis. This treatment significantly reduces the risk of protein deficiency, largely because the process of dialysis itself removes protein from the body at an above-average rate. Furthermore, kidney diseases, which dialysis aims to treat, affect the body’s ability to process amino acids into protein in the normal manner. These factors, combined with a predisposition toward loss of appetite, can cause a condition called protein-energy malnutrition (PEM).

Highly dangerous, PEM puts dialysis patients at increased risk of complications and even death. Statistically, patients with PEM present a much higher risk of death before the successful completion of trreatment. PROPLETE addresses this issue by introducing lipid-free, low-carbohydrate protein supplements into the patient’s body in sufficient amounts to compensate for dialysis-related protein loss. The compound also encourages the growth of protein and tissues in the body, thus combating both the risk and the potential effects of PEM.

Although Joe Cosgrove has previously mentioned that starting dialysis is not the end of the world—in fact, he addressed the topic from different points of view including one major concern: how can individuals and patients under dialysis get the most out of life once they start the treatment?—. Many people fear that they will have to quit their jobs, or that they will have to dramatically change their lifestyles. The truth is, the onset of dialysis can be delayed to some extent. And although it is very tough to be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, if patients are diagnosed in the early stages of such condition, there certain steps and measures they can take to get the most out of their kidneys and prolong kidney function.

Following a physician’s advice, it is possible to still enjoy a healthy life even with kidney disease. Following adequate and good health practices, staying on the job and continuing to enjoy other leisure activities and social events are ways an individual can overcome the apparent lack of control of their condition. Additionally, aside from following a physician’s advice in order to avoid starting dialysis sooner that expected, having a job with a solid health insurance helps provide security and other health benefits.

One thing is still certain: there are a plethora of causes that may cause chronic kidney disease; however, there is also a myriad of recommendations that, if followed properly, can help an individual delay kidney failure—which is what leads to dialysis and kidney transplant.

The two main causes of chronic kidney disease in North America and other western countries are diabetes and high blood pressure. These diseases have always been on the rise in the American country, which has also caused an increase in the number of patients who suffer from certain chronic kidney disease. The first step, of course, to control any type of CKD is by controlling the aforementioned conditions.

Diabetes and how to extend kidney function

People who suffer from diabetes need to mind their blood glucose levels. There is no shortcut. Blood glucose levels must be kept in an adequate range in accordance with physicians recommend. Additionally, hemoglobin A1C should be below 6.5%. And, of course, patients suffering from early stage chronic kidney disease need to have their kidneys tested at least once a year.

Research has shown that certain high blood pressure medicines are able to protect the kidneys of those who also suffer from diabetes, even they also have normal blood pressure levels.

The high blood pressure scenario

Individuals with high blood pressure—also known as hypertension—, should consult with their primary physician in order to get their blood pressure medicine. As recommended by the The National Heart and Blood Institute, it is recommended to have blood pressure under control (at 120/80 or even lower for those who have early stage kidney disease. For those who suffer from diabetes, blood pressure should be around 130/85.

Other diseases commonly associated with chronic kidney disease

Aside from the previously mentioned diseases, there are several other conditions that can lead to suffering from chronic kidney disease: glomerulonephritis and lupus, for instance. These diseases affect the immune system, causing it to overact, which ends up affecting the kidneys (due to inflammation). In order to slow down the pace at which the kidneys deteriorate under these circumstances, a physician can prescribe certain medicines such as steroids.

Chronic kidney disease is also a direct consequence of certain infections and other medicines that happen to be detrimental to the organs. Infections, for instance, can be wiped out through the controlled used of antibiotics; certain medications, such as painkillers or antibiotics cause a negative impact on the kidneys: patients with these conditions need to be straightforward with their physicians about their CKD prior to initiating other treatments in hopes of avoiding a worse condition and prevent further damage.

Prolonging kidney function

Irrespective of how an individual develops chronic kidney disease, there are certain steps people can take in hopes of prolonging kidney function. Smoking, for example, is known for having a direct impact and correlation with the progression of kidney disease, therefore, and simply put, it is recommended that those with early stage kidney disease stop spending their money on cigarettes and tobacco. Of course, adopting a healthy diet, losing weight and working out are crucial activities that can act in the betterment of kidney condition. People with high blood pressure should also limit sodium in their diets: physicians believe that avoiding a certain amount of phosphorus and protein may also slow down the pace at which kidneys deteriorate; however, research continues on other foods—and even medicines—to see whether they act in the best interest of the health of the patient.

It is also important to remember that every CKD is unique. It is best to first address a physician and work out on a plan to prevent and slow down the disease while getting the most of life. It is perfectly possible.